International work safety co-operation promoted

A conference on safety and sanitation at work and labour inspection was held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Welfare (MOLISA) on March 15 in the southern province of Dong Nai, to discuss measures to strengthen international co-operation and design strategies and policies on these issues.

The conference brought together officials from various international organisations, including the International Social Security Association (ISSA Mining), International Labour Organisation and labour inspection bodies from six ASEAN member countries.

Participants shared experience on successful models applied in many countries in the world and suggested various methods of ensuring safety and sanitation in Vietnam.

Speaking at the conference, MOLISA Deputy Minister Bui Hong Linh described safety and sanitation at work as increasingly critical issues, saying during past years the Vietnamese Government has given preference to the issue in its human resources preservation and development strategy.

Recently, there was an average of 6,000 cases of workplace accidents, with 500 deaths and 5,000 people injured a year. Around 1500-2000 become new victims of occupational diseases every year.

The Government has also co-ordinated with both employers and employees to protect labourers’ health, highlighted by a national programme of safety and sanitation at work till 2015 with the funding of VND700 billion (US$33.6 million), which offers healthcare service to workers.

At this event, MOLISA signed a three-year term co-operative agreement with ISSA, which allows the two sides to exchange delegations, experience and information on work safety and labour inspection issues, aiming to promote safe work activities and prevent and manage workplace risks in Vietnam.